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`You are not indestructible', mourners at funeral of 20-year-old Shiva Devine are warned

Shiva Devine and Conall McAleer who died in the crash in the early hours of Sunday
Shiva Devine and Conall McAleer who died in the crash in the early hours of Sunday Shiva Devine and Conall McAleer who died in the crash in the early hours of Sunday

MOURNERS who gathered yesterday for the funeral of 20-year-old crash victim Shiva Devine were urged to remember "you are not indestructible, you are very fragile so please handle your lives with care".

The mother-of-one, who lived in Belleek, was killed along with her friend Conall McAleer in a horrific road accident in Bundoran, Co Donegal, in the early hours of Sunday.

At her funeral yesterday in her native Ballintra in Co Donegal, parish priest Joe O'Donnell told several hundred people attending the funeral at St Brigid's Church: "We will never see Shiva's smile again, or the funny carefree person that she was".

He added that the tragic deaths of Ms Devine and Mr McAleer, who was from Kesh, were so sudden, "like a blackout".

Three other people were seriously injured in the crash. One of the occupants, mother-of-one Rachel Elliott (25), from Ballinamallard, remains on life support at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where she was transferred on Sunday evening.

Two men, aged in their 20s, remain in Sligo University Hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

The sixth occupant of the car, a man in his 20s, who was arrested after handing himself into Gardaí, was later released without charge.

"We are unable to understand it.

"The only thing we can do just when a blackout happens is to rush for a light, even that of a small candle. We only have Christ our lord now to help us penetrate this awful darkness.

"We thank God for the life and memories of your dear friend Shiva Blue Devine. Donegal and Fermanagh will never forget you."

He cautioned "to all you young people here this morning, I say, you are not indestructible, you are very fragile so pleased handle your lives with care".

A friend also paid tribute during the service: "As Oscar Wilde said we are all in the gutter but Shiva is smiling down on us from on top of a bright blue star."

Ms Devine, who is survived her partner Brian, son Kyle (3), parents Nicola and Julian and siblings, Odin, Che, Freya and Eris Daisy, was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

Mutual friends will gather again at noon today at St Joseph's Church in Ederney for the funeral of Mr McAleer.